Chapter 3 Notes: Free Enterprise  18 Million unincorporated businesses in America Open Land, Natural Resources, and Uninterrupted flow of immigrants with different backgrounds and experiences all contribute…to ECONOMIC SUCCESS. Open Opportunity- The concept that everyone can compete in the marketplace. Voluntary Exchange- Allowing people to decide what and when they want to buy or sell something instead of by force.

Basic Principles of Free Enterprise Profit Motive Open Opportunity –The American Dream Economic Rights –Private Property, free contracts, voluntary exchange

Role of Government Protect Health, Safety and Well Being, and provide consumers with information. Major Regulatory Agencies i.FDA- Food and Drug Administration ii.FAA- Federal Aviation Administration iii.EPA- Environmental Protection Agency More on page 55.

Promoting Growth and Stability Macroeconomics-study of the behavior and decision making of entire economies. Microeconomics-study of the behavior and decision making of small economic units. –Macro=United States Economy –Micro=A United States average Household economy.

To measure the economy’s well-being, you must calculate the nation’s GDP. GDP-Gross Domestic Product, equals the total value of all final goods and services produced in an economy. To stabilize the economy, policymakers must strive for high employment, steady growth, and stable prices. Another key to a higher GDP is Technology. Better Technology = for more goods generated in shorter amount of time with less materials.

Providing Public Goods Public Good- a shared good or service for which it would be inefficient or impractical (1) to make consumers pay individually and (2) to exclude unwilling participants. –Ex. Roads and Dams Free Rider- Someone who would not choose to pay for a certain good or service, but would get the benefits of it anyway if it were provided as a public good.  Example- Fire protection for your neighbor’s house

Side effects of an economy are called Externalities. Two types- positive externality and negative externality Positive- Private homeowner buys house and fixes it up from eye-sore to ready to buy. Negative- Next-door neighbor takes up the accordion and hosts Friday night polka parties. However, you hate polka music.

Providing Safety Net Welfare- since 1930s. –General term referring to government aid for the poor. Other well known programs. I.Social Security. II.Unemployment Insurance. III.Workers’ compensation. 1) In-Kind Benefits – food stamps, legal aid 2) Medical Benefits- Medicare and Medicaid 3) Education- Federal funding, grants and scholarships